This course (equivalent to 2 A Levels) gives you the skills you need to work in a care setting or go on to a degree programme in health and social care. You will learn about effective communication, equality, diversity and rights, and development through the life stages. The course is demanding with a strong theoretical base.

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Factsheet

Who is This Course For?

Those who wish to go into a career in nursing, social work, residential care management, youth work or the probation service.

Entry Requirements

You should have 4 or more GCSEs at grades A*-C or above including English, OR a merit or distinction grade at Level 2. With these qualifications you will also need to have GCSE English grade C or level 2 Key Skills Communication. Should you wish to use this qualification to do nursing or other health-related professional studies, you should have English, maths and double science at grade C or above. Applicants with appropriate work experience may also be considered, following a formal assessment to determine if they can meet the demands of the course.

All students must undertake work experience in a care/childcare setting as part of this course. Work placement settings require students to obtain an Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure to demonstrate that they are suitable to work with vulnerable people and/or children. Students must be aware that if information about previous criminal convictions, cautions or warnings is contained on their disclosure certificate they may not be accepted on to a placement. For any queries please contact the Curriculum Team Manager for Health and Social Care for advice.

International students must have an IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent for this course.

About the course

You will study the following 8 core units:

• Developing effective communication in health and social care
• Equality, diversity and rights in health and social care
• Health, safety and security in health and social care
• Development through life stages
• Fundamentals of anatomy and physiology for health and social care
• Personal and professional development in health and social care
• Sociological perspectives for health and social care
• Psychological perspectives for health and social care.

You will also study 4 specialist units, which enable you to study particular areas in depth:

• Values and planning in social care
• Caring for children and young people
• Supporting and protecting adults
• Applied sociological perspectives for health and social care.

 

Additional Opportunities

Work experience forms an important part of the course.

How will I be assessed?

Throughout the year you will be given written assignments for each unit as well as work placement reports.

Where next?

You can go on to a degree in nursing, midwifery, sociology, psychology or social work at university or an HND in managing health and care services, social policy or teacher training. If you wish to go into employment straight away, you could work in a registered care home, community work, the voluntary sector, a hospital or primary care trust.

How to apply?

Please apply online for courses starting in 2010.